HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-2000MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on September 6, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS: Garna Jones, Bill Taylor, Peter DiTuri, Dan Rollins
STAFF: David Osaki, Sean Martin, Jeff Dixon, Betty Sanders, and Patti Zook
The following members were absent: Dave Peace, Karen Ekrem, Fred Helser
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Taylor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
It was concurred by the Planning Commission that the minutes of the August 8, 2000 meeting be
amended to show that Dave Peace was not in attendance at the meeting. The minutes were then
approved as mailed.
CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
· 2000 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Principal Planner Osaki said the public hearing is scheduled for October on the Comprehensive Plan map
and policy/text amendments. Planning Commission agreed to the October public hearing.
Principal Planner Osaki distributed an orange flyer and advised that cc did not take any action on the H
Street area and deferred action on this area until the Comprehensive Plan process because they wanted
to receive input from residents. City Council wanted to give additional notice to residents of what is
proposed to happen to the area and explain to residents the Comprehensive Plan and zoning issues.
Principal Planner Osaki then explained the Comprehensive Plan p~:ocess which will include two public
hearings - one in October and one in November. The November meeting will pertain to the Water Plan
and Storm Drainage Plan.
DISCUSSION:
· 2000 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Principal Planner Osaki explained that he will review the Comprehensive Plan map amendments and
policy/text amendments and review the two amendments that pertain to the two audience members first.
Nine of the map amendments are privately initiated; the others are City initiated amendments.
Comprehensive Plan Map (CPM) Amendments
Privately-Initiated Map Applications
CPM #1 Mara Heiman, et al.
Request from multiple property owners for a plan map amendment from "Single Family Residential" to
"Light Industrial" for properties located in the South 287th Street/West Valley Highway area. These
properties lie outside of the existing city limits but are within Auburn's Potential Annexation Area (PAA).
Principal Planner Osaki remarked that the owners want to sell their homes at higher value which the new
designation would allow.
-1-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
CPM #2 Bristol Properties and Northward Homes Inc./Gentra Inc.
Request from Bristol Properties and Northward Homes Inc./Gentra Inc. to amend the comprehensive plan
for properties in Northeast Auburn, generally located in the I Street NE, 277t~ Street, Green River area, as
follows:
a) "Public & Quasi-Public" to "High Density Residential" (Approx. 20 Acres).
b) "Single Family Residential" to "Moderate Density Residential" (Approx. 22 Acres).
c) "High Density Residential" to "Light Commercial" (Approx. 10 Acres).
d) Removal of the Special Area Plan Designation for all of the above properties (52 acres)
plus 24 additional acres under the same ownership that does not require an amendment to the
underlying plan designation.
Principal Planner Osaki used the map from GIS and pointed out different areas involved in this request. At
one time the owners wanted to get together and do an ElS for development of area and were to
coordinate the ElS and development. The owners have now "split" and no coordinated development effort
will occur.
Commissioner Jones asked why the public and quasi public zoning designation. Principal Planner Osaki
said there was a contract rezone years ago and the area was to be open space/park space for a particular
project which was pre GMA. Commissioner Taylor asked why high density designation. Principal Planner
Osaki said this reflects the type of development the owners want.
CPM #3 Sound Ventures Inc./Kawasaki Family Limited Partnership
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "High Density Residential" to "Heavy Commercial" for the
eastern portion of the property located at 4238 Auburn Way North.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed the area out.
CPM ~ Thomas Academy
Amend the existing "Light Industrial" with transition to "Public & Quasi-Public" plan map designation to
proposed "Light Industrial" with transition to "Heavy Commercial" for property located at approximately 49th
Street (North Side) between B Street NW and Auburn Way North. Some expansion of the "Public & Quasi-
Public" to the east would occur to take into account Thomas Academy ownership at that location.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed the area out and said the request would allow flexibility is to develop the
property.
CPM #5 Andrew Benedetti
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "Moderate Density Residential" to "Residential/Office" for Lots
9-10-11, Block 11 Railroad Addition to Auburn (Benedetti Amendment). Properties are generally located
on M Street (West Side) and 6th Street (north side).
Principal Planner Osaki pointed the area out.
CPM ~6 Richard Kosier
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "Moderate Density Residential" to "Residential/Office" for Lot
12, Block 11 Railroad Addition to Auburn (Kosier amendment). Properties are generally located on M
Street (West Side) and 6th Street (north side).
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out the area. CPM #5 and CPM#6 are adjacent.
CPM #7 Auburn Properties (Utility Vault Co.)
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "Moderate Density Residential/Heavy Commercial" to "Heavy
Industrial". Subject properties are immediately north of the existing Auburn Properties' "Heavy Industrial"
designation and have no A Street frontage.
-2-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out area. Planning Commission needs to consider the heavy industrial
description as contained in the adopted Comprehensive Plan which he read. He then explained
"community serving areas" and "region serving areas". He read a related land use policy. Planning
Commission needs to consider if it is appropriate for the expansion of heavy industrial use.
Commissioner Taylor asked what the owner is planning. Planner II Dixon mentioned that north of the vault
site, City has reviewed SEPA application for a gravel truck maintenance facility and administrative office.
He pointed out the Segale area. The majority of vault's site is used for storage. The road is not planned
as an arterial street.
Commissioner DiTuri expressed concern about moderate density adjacent and its environmental impact to
residents because of trucks. Commissioner Jones is concerned about the change being in opposition to
Comprehensive Plan policy statements.
CPM #8 Buck and Gordon on behalf of Nicholson Development Properties LLC (Applicant)/BNSF
property owner.
Request to amend the comprehensive plan land use map from "Light Industrial" to "Heavy Commercial" for
property located at 41St/Ellingson and "A" Street (Northwest Corner of Intersection).
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out area. The owner proposes to develop a drugstore, video store, and
coffee shop. He referred to a letter to applicant from Planning Director. The Traffic Division does not feel
the applicant's traffic study is adequate nor is the traffic mitigation adequate. The SEPA analysis is
suspended. Staff recommends denial of this amendment. More information will be presented to
Comprehensive Plan in the public hearing packet. The three proposed uses create lots of traffic.
CPM #9 Lakeland Hills South PUD
Request by Evergreen Tucci Partners, LLC to amend the comprehensive plan map as follows within
various Lakeland South PUD locations:
a) Move the area designated as "School" to the area presently described as "Seniors". (No comp
plan map designation is required by this revision but it is the basis for request "b" below);
b) Amend the plan map from "Single Family Residential" to "Moderate Density Residential" to
accommodate the movement of the area described as "Seniors" in "a" above to the area presently
designated as "School";
c) Amend the plan map at the NE corner of the intersection of Lake Tapps Parkway East and
Lakeland Hills Way from "Moderate Density Residential" to "Light Commercial";
d) Amend a 1.5 acre parcel at the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue SE and the proposed Lakeland
Hills Loop Road from "Commercial" to "Moderate Density Residential".
e) Adjust the line between the park designated "Public & Quasi-Public" and the adjacent "Open
Space" designation to the west. Amend the map to also designate property from "Moderate
Density Residential" to "Public & Quasi Public" in this area.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out area.
City-Initiated Map Amendments
CPM #10 Eliminate Designations Beyond Potential Annexation Area (PAA)
Amend the comprehensive plan map to identify map designations outside the city limits consistently, by
only indicating designations for the existing city limits and the "PAA", but discontinue beyond "PAA".
Principal Planner Osaki explained why City does not need to designate areas outside PAA. Most cities
are not showing this on their Comprehensive Plan maps. Auburn's map shows areas well outside PAA as
colored and this should be eliminated.
-3-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
CPM #11 Eliminate "Neighborhood Commercial" Plan Designation
Amend the Comprehensive Plan map so that those few remaining parcels designated "Neighborhood
Commercial" on the City Comprehensive Plan map are revised to "Light Commercial". Request effectively
eliminates the "Neighborhood Commercial" plan designation and would also allow for the deletion of the
"Neighborhood Commercial" zone.
Principal Planner Osaki mentioned that a couple areas are affected by this. Only five parcels in all of City
are designated as Neighborhood Commercial. This change will not create any nonconforming uses.
Planner I Martin explained that when doing analysis for City-wide zoning changes it was confirmed that
only five are zoned and designated as NC. City Council modified Planning Commission's
recommendation on this zoning change. The five parcels are nonconforming. It was determined that
there should not be a zoning designation for just five parcels in entire City. These parcels do not provide
required buffer between commercial/residential areas. Staff proposes to eradicate the NC designation
from zoning and Comprehensive Plan.
Planner I Martin said again that the NC designation is not on any other part of City or in the PAA. There
was a discussion of setbacks in NC and light commercial districts.
Commissioner Jones expressed concern about dropping the NC concept because she likes the idea of
additional setbacks in NC versus light commercial. Planner I Martin said that the NC designation will still
be an element that could be applied and in Zoning Ordinance, but not designation on any other parcels
other than these five parcels.
Consensus of Planning Commission was not to eliminate NC designation from Zoning Ordinance.
CPM #12 Port of Seattle Wetland Mitigation Property
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "Single Family Residential" to "Public and Quasi-Public" for Port
of Seattle property located in Northeast Auburn east of I Street and west of the Green River to reflect its
use as a wetland mitigation site.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out the area.
CPM #13 Lea Hill Road SE (South Side) and 108th Avenue SE (approximate)
Amend the comprehensive plan map to reduce the "High Density Residential" designation at Lea Hill Road
SE (South Side) and 108th Avenue SE (approximate) to only reflect the existing Condominium project and
replace it with a "Single Family Residential" designation
Principal Planner Osaki pointed out. Staff proposes to pull back high density designation.
CPM #14 City Water Utility Site
Designate the water utility's property at the base of Lea Hill located just east of the intersection of 104th
Ave. SE and Lea Hill Road/SE 320th Street From "Single Family Residential" to "Public & Quasi-Public".
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #15 Fulmer Field (Auburn Park Property)
Amend the comprehensive plan map from "Office Residential"/"Moderate Density Residential" to "Public &
Quasi-Public" for property located in the vicinity of Fulmer Field (approx. M Street NE and 6th Street NE).
The proposed amendment affects property purchased by the Water Utility to compensate the Parks
Department for its (Water Utilities) use of Parks Department property to build a new well. (Initiated by
Public Works Department). Additional revisions to reflect city ownership are also proposed.
-4-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out. Planner I Martin mentioned the Public Works Department
activities at site.
CPM # 16 City Park Site (Fenster Property)
Designate the city park property at the end of 4th Street SE from "Single Family Residential" to "Public &
Quasi-Public".
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #17 West Main Residential Area (North of Main Street)
Amend the comprehensive plan land use map from "Heavy Industrial" and "High Density Residential" to
"Residential Office" for property generally bounded by H Street SW, 2nd Street NW, F Street SW and an
alley, excepting an existing industrial use located on the west side of G Street SW.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #18 West Main Residential Area (South Side of Main Street) (STR 13-21-04)
Amend the comprehensive plan to extend the "High Density Residential" designation westerly to G Street
SW, replacing the existing "Light Industrial" designation.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #19 West Main Street
Amend the comprehensive plan map by designating properties currently designated "Light Commercial"
and one parcel "Light Industrial" to "Central Business District", generally on the north and south sides of
West Main Street between D Streets NW/SW and H Street NW (excepting West Auburn High School and
a parcel at the southwest corner of West Main Street and G Street SVV).
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #20 Auburn Way South and 12th Street SE Intersection
Amend the Comprehensive Plan Map from "Heavy Commercial" to "Light Commercial" for properties at
this intersection. PCDC Initiated
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #21 Auburn Way South & 9th Street SE (Southeast Corner)
Amend the Comprehensive Plan Map from "Single Family Residential" to "Light Commercial" for certain
properties to make consistent with existing C-1 zoning. PCDC Initiated
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #22 Auburn Way South and Hemlock Street
Multiple amendments in the vicinity of Auburn Way South (north and south side) and Hemlock Street (east
side)
North Side of Auburn Way South
a) Reduce/adjust the "Light Commercial" plan designation to exclude the house adjacent to the
Winchester Heights Condominium complex; and,
b) Expand the "High Density Residential" Plan designation to the west line of the Winchester Heights
Condominium complex.
c) Adjust the "High Density Residential"/"Single Family Residential" plan map designation boundary
to include more "Single Family Residential" along Hemlock Street (east side).
-5-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
d) Designate properties fronting Auburn Way South from "High Density Residential" to "Light
Commercial" for several parcels along Auburn Way South near Hemlock Street SE.
South Side of Auburn Way South
e) Amend the Comprehensive Plan map to designate the southerly parts of certain parcels from
"Light Commercial" to "Moderate Density Residential".
Principal Planner Osaki pointed areas out. Planner I Martin explained recent action of City Council
relating to zoning change in the area which was referred back to PCDC which discussed the possible
redevelopment of the area.
CPM #23 21 ST Place SE (Boundary Alignment Adjustment)
Realign Boundary to Reflect Existing Uses Amend Comprehensive Plan Map to align the "Heavy
Commercial"/"Moderate Density Residential" boundary (that currently runs north-south) proximate to 21st
Place SE, generally near 21st Street SE with the single family residential development to the east and the
"Heavy Commercial" designation to the properties proximate to the A Street corridor.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #24 Lakeland Hills South PUD
Amend the map from "Public-Quasi Public" to "Moderate Density Residential" for property generally
located at the NW intersection of Evergreen Way SE and Lakeland Hills Way. See also CPM #9
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #25 Lakeland Hills Way and East Valley Highway (East Side)
Area along East Valley Highway (east side) at the intersection of Lakeland Hills Way, within the City of
Pacific's jurisdiction. Area is currently undesignated on the City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan.
Amendment the Comprehensive Plan Map to designate this area to "Public Quasi-Public", "High Density
Residential", "Single Family Residential" and "Light Commercial".
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #26 South of the Lakeland Hills Way/East Valley Highway (east side) Intersection
Amend Comprehensive Plan map from "Heavy Commercial" to "Light Commercial" for properties on East
Valley Highway (east side) approximately 900' to 1800' south of the above referenced intersection.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
CPM #27 Sumner/Auburn UGA Amendment
Amend the Sumner/Auburn UGA to include add property within the City of Auburn's UGA, generally
located north of East 8th Street and west of East Valley Highway/BNSF Railroad right-of-way and
designate the property Public & Quasi-Public. The City of Auburn has an agreement in principle with
Sumner and Pierce County on expanding our UGA to include certain facilities surrounding the Lake Tapps
Parkway.
Principal Planner Osaki pointed area out.
Policy/Text (P/T) Amendments
P/T#1 Neighborhood Commercial Plan Designation
Eliminate references in the Comprehensive Plan to "Neighborhood Commercial" plan designation given
that the designation is being eliminated from the plan map (See CPM #11)
Principal Planner Osaki heard that Planning Commission wants to keep NC designation.
-6-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
P/T#2 Auburn School District Capital Facility Plan (CFP's) 1999-00 through 2005-06
Incorporate Auburn School District's updated Capital Facilities Plan into the City's Comprehensive Plan.
P/T#3 Kent School District No. 415; Years 2000-2001 to 2005-2006
Incorporate Kent School District's updated Capital Facilities Plan into the City's Comprehensive Plan.
P/T#4
b)
c)
d)
Transportation Element Amendments
state Level of Service Amendments (HB 1487). Amend the comprehensive plan to address
requirements of HB 1487 including a requirement for all local agencies to include an inventory of
state owned transportation facilities; that local jurisdictions estimate the traffic impaCts to state
owned facilities resulting from local land use assumptions (RCW 36.70A.070); clarification of who
will set the level of service (LOS) on highways.
Level of Service (LOS) Standards
Amendments, if any, to the City's LOS standards.
Lea Hill Annexation
Transportation element amendments, if any, associated with Lea Hill annexation.
Policy Organization with 1997 Transportation Plan
In 1997 the City of Auburn adopted the Transportation Plan. The 1997 Transportation Plan,
adopted by reference to the Comprehensive Plan, also includes transportation policies. This
amendment is organizational, incorporating the 1997 Transportation Plan policies into the
Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element to eliminate redundancies.
Principal Planner Osaki advised that Public Works staff is preparing these still, but changes will not be as
extensive as previously thought.
P/T#5 Master Plan for the Olson Farm
The City of Auburn & VVhite River Valley Museum have provided the Master Plan for the Olson Farm
dated February 2000. The master plan recommendations call primarily for the rehabilitation of the site's
historic buildings and the additions of discrete new improvements for visitor access and use. The 60.6
acre site is located north of Isaac Evans Park and the Auburn Regional Golf Course.
P/T#6 Comprehensive Water Plan
Under preparation by Public Works. Planning Commission public hearing in November 2000.
P/T#7 Comprehensive Storm Drainage (Stormwater) Plan
Under preparation by Public Works. Planning Commission public hearing in either October 2000 or
November 2000).
P/T#8 Public Works Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments
Text amendments to the Comprehensive Plan proposed by Public Works to primarily ensure consistency
with the adoption of new utility plans, clarify policies, and include other minor updates.
Changes proposed by Public Works staff.
PFF#9 Capital Facilities plan Update (Tentative)
Update of the 1998 Capital Facilities Plan. May be deferred to a special plan amendment allowed by
State law. GMA allows this to be amended outside of the one year requirement.
Other:
Principal Planner Osaki commented that a change in the historic preservation chapter may be included as
a policy/text amendment.
-7-
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
· Sensitive Areas Ordinance (SAO)
Planner II Dixon distributed an information sheet to Planning Commission. He provide background
information on previously distributed issue papers and what was discussed at previous meetings.
Information distributed relates to "best available science" (BAS) which now spells out what best available
science actually is. He explained implementation timeframe involved. Using an overhead, he showed
summary of BAS information. He then began to review the different sections. In Section 910, the
agencies have not yet developed their understanding of the BAS and probably will not have this for six
months.
Commissioner Jones wondered if most cities have a SAO. Planner II Dixon said yes; Auburn has been
using SEPA authority. Commissioner DiTuri has not seen a reference to time and asked if State is
addressing this. Planner II Dixon said that there is nothing that says information has to be recent and
does not specifically address timeliness issue, but it talks about not having accurate information. State is
looking for jurisdictions to do research.
Planner II Dixon advised he provided the summary only tonight, but can provide the complete text to
Planning Commission. It speaks to how to approach and make sure using BAS. The City's consultant is
suggesting a three prong approach. One is for the City to request information from agencies on BAS
which shows that Auburn has made an effort. He then reviewed this three prong approach as suggested
by consultant. He will let Planning Commission know about new requirements to be incorporated into
SAO. Consultant is drafting SAO in September.
· Downtown Plan
Planner I Sanders provide background information. She explained three different sections of the plan.
Auburn Downtown Association (ADA) design committee provided some feedback and ideas were
developed for design guidelines. She presented a Slide show of concept ideas. She explained difference
between design guidelines and design standards. Design guidelines are only suggestions, but design
standards are mandatory. An architectural character analysis was performed which included three steps.
She wanted to give Planning Commission an idea of where the City is headed and ask for Planning
Commission input. She wondered if Planning Commission are interested in standards versus guidelines.
Commissioner Jones inquired about available funding for storefront improvements. Planner I Sanders
commented that the ADA has small amount available. One strategy is to investigate how to get funds for
necessary improvements.
Commissioner DiTuri cautioned that when looking at residential neighborhoods, standards may not work
for different neighborhoods. It might be a challenge to get consistent standards. Some neighborhoods will
benefit from standards, but there is the question of which neighborhood gets which treatment.
Commissioner Rollins believes that guidelines might be more appropriate versus standards because
standards take into account the surrounding neighborhood and setbacks.
Commissioner Taylor inquired how ADA approaches receiving grants. Planner I Sanders said that ADA is
trying to get property owners reinvested in their properties. There was a meeting two months ago and a
presentation given and comments solicited. Most property owners do not live in Auburn or adjacent areas.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further items to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
PC~AG\MIN09-2000
-8-